Production of crystal sugar and alcohol from sweet sorghum

In the semi-arid tropics worldwide, Sweet sorghum is cultivated by farmers on a subsistence level, and consumed as food by humanity. In the context of China, we examine the economic and environmental advantages that transformation of sorghum to ethanol, can give to China. Reducing the use of non-renewable fossil energy reserves together with improving the environment are two important reasons that drive interest in the use of bioethanol as an automotive fuel

Do Pre-operative Functional Measures Predict Post-operative Function In Adults Undergoing TKA?

Background/Purpose: "Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hips and knees is estimated to be the fourth leading cause of functional disability world-wide,"(1) Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the leading surgery to treat chronic knee pain secondary to OA, and "is the most commonly performed musculoskeletal procedure in the United States."(1, 3) The purpose of this case study was to identify which outcome measures can best predict postoperative function following a TKA. The PICO question asked: In adults with OA, who undergo TKA, do better preoperative functional outcomes predict better functional outcomes postoperatively at 6 weeks, compared to those who did not perform as well? Case Description: Mr. L, a 77-year-old-male who was admitted to the hospital for a left TKA to address significant left knee OA. He was seen in the hospital for three sessions of acute physical therapy before being discharged home with a referral to outpatient physical therapy. Upon his discharge Mr. L had left knee range of motion (ROM) of 4-91 degrees and six weeks post TKA his range improved to 2 - 122 degrees. Outcomes: Included were ROM, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Discussion: Although most of the articles analyzed found that preoperative functional outcome measures predict how well a patient may do following a TKA, more research is necessary to fully understand the best measures to use and if they can predict the full potential of recovery. Despite the lack of significant prediction rules, the PICO question has been answered. In adults with OA, who underwent TKA, better preoperative performances on the TUG, 6MWT, ROM, and WOMAC could predict better functional outcomes postoperatively. What makes this information even more significant to physical therapists, especially those in an acute-care setting is that preoperative and acute functional performance measures can be included when assessing patient needs for discharge and can allow better patient education and expectation management for an overall more successful rehabilitation experience

Hyperparasitism behaviour of the autoparasitoid Encarsia tricolor on two secondary host species

Hyperparasitism by virgin female Encarsia tricolor was studied by direct observation of its behaviour when contacting two secondary host species (Encarsia formosa and E. tricolor) at different host stages (first and second larval stage, third larval stage, and pupal stage). The searching and hyperparasitism behavioural sequence of E. tricolor was independent of the host stage of the whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella), and was similar to several related primary parasitoid species. In experiments with equal numbers of secondary hosts, encounter frequencies were equal for both secondary host species in all developmental stages observed. However, rates of hyperparastism were different according to host stage and host species. Hosts in the late larval stages were most preferred for hyperparasitization and the heterospecific E. formosa was more preferred as a secondary host than the conspecific, E. tricolor, in particular from the prepupal stage onwards. The window of vulnerability, i.e., the duration of the period in which a secondary host is susceptible to hyperparasitism, was largely determined by the occurrence and rate of melanization after the onset of pupation. The duration of a successful hyperparasitization event was longer than one that failed. Superparasitism occurred only once in all cases. The potential effect of autoparasitoids on biological control programs and the consequences for selection and release of an effective, yet ecologically safe agent are discussed